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Saturday, April 22, 2017

April Leader's Report

April 2017

Ongoing satisfaction with life in the Capital

The latest Edinburgh People Survey
results made positive reading when they were published last month,
showing that the vast majority of respondents (94%) are satisfied with
life here in the Capital.

Services like public
transport, parks and our calendar of cultural events continue to see a
high level of satisfaction too, while results showed residents across
the city feel secure in their communities.

I was a
particularly heartened by the sense of inclusion demonstrated by the
results, with more people than ever agreeing their neighbourhood is a
place where people of different backgrounds get along (84%), and 94%
saying Edinburgh is welcoming and accessible to people of all ages.

As
ever, the survey also gives us the opportunity to reflect on the areas
where public perception is poorer. Responses allow us to pinpoint
services, such as street cleaning and road maintenance, where people
feel we could be doing better, and help us to make plans for
improvement, to the benefit of everyone who lives in and visits the
city.

Councillor Andrew Burns Leader of the City of Edinburgh Council

Very much open for business

Edinburgh has been featuring in the news again for all the right reasons this month after being named the best city in the UK
to start a new business. Our speedy internet connections, reasonable
office rent and a substantial pool of 'tech savvy' students all played
their part.

This came hot on the heels of another, and even more impressive, result courtesy of JLL Investment's Intensity Index,
which ranked Edinburgh fourth in the world for property investment.
This is remarkable when you consider that only Oslo, London and Munich
scored more highly, with the likes of New York and Sydney further down
the Top 10.

Of course, the evidence of this is right
on our doorstop as the New Waverley and Haymarket developments continue
to progress well and work getting underway on the £1 billion Edinburgh
St James project.

Keeping Edinburgh Beautiful

Congratulations to the team working on the Our Edinburgh
campaign, which was awarded 'Programme of the Year' at this year's Keep
Scotland Beautiful Local Environment Quality Awards. The award
recognises the great job they've done to encourage pride in the city.

We're
always looking at ways of improving our waste and cleansing services,
but by raising awareness of anti-social behaviour like fly-tipping,
litter-dropping and dog fouling, Our Edinburgh is encouraging the public to do their bit too - and it's already having an impact.

In
its latest phase in Gorgie and Dalry, the campaign saw litter
complaints drop by 18% and 13 fixed penalty notices issued, while
citywide there has been a 44% increase in special uplift requests.

Grand designs on Ross Theatre

It
boasts one of the finest backdrops in the country and it seems the rest
of the world agrees. The competition to replace the Ross Bandstand in
West Princes Street Gardens is gathering pace after 125 groups of
architects and designers spanning 22 countries were swiftly narrowed
down last month.

The worldwide interest should come as
no surprise. Images of the venue are beamed to TV screens across the
world every Hogmanay and during the Festival Fireworks Concert each
August. After flying in from Japan, the USA and across Europe to visit
the site earlier this month, the seven shortlisted architect teams will have until June to submit their designs for a new pavilion.

An
exhibition will be held by the Ross Development Trust, led by
benefactor Norman Springford, this summer to showcase their concept
designs and to receive local feedback, with a winner expected to be
confirmed in August 2017.

Fighting inequality with the OneCity Trust

The
OneCity Trust was established in 2003 (with the Lord Provost's 'Rapid
Action Fund' added in 2013) to support the most vulnerable in our
society and, over the last 12 months alone, has channelled over £125,000
into projects which help close the wealth gap here in the Capital.

Every
community has a responsibility to care for its citizens and the OneCity
Trust relies on generous donations from Edinburgh people and
businesses. In the last year, it has received more than £36,300 support
from Travis Perkins, £3,000 from CGI Ltd and over £6,000 from Harvey
Nichols' carrier bag levy.

Countless individuals
continue to pledge their support too. The Trust's President, the Lord
Provost, will 'brave' the Virgin Money London Marathon this weekend.
With Sunday's starting gun looming, you can show the Lord Provost and
the OneCity Trust your support through Donald Wilson's marathon donation page.

If
you know an organisation or scheme which fights inequality and promotes
inclusion, applications will be open until the end of May for 2017
grant funding. Find out more about applying for a OneCity Trust grant.

Have your say on 4 May

The
local elections are almost upon us (as, of course, is another General
Election!) and voters across the country will be heading to the polls to
elect our new councillors on Thursday 4 May.

A few reminders about this year's vote:

Some polling places have changed, so check your poll card or our online guide to find out where yours is before you head out

If
filling in a postal ballot, be careful to put your date of birth in the
relevant bit, rather than that day's date (it often happens!), then
make sure to sign it

The last word

As
you may be aware, many councillors, including myself, have chosen not
to stand on 4 May. I haven't done the maths, but the cumulative
experience leaving the Council must add up to many hundreds of years.

As
current Council Leader, and on behalf of all the Group Leaders, I'd
like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to all the retiring
councillors who have given dedicated public service to their local
communities over so many years.

I'd also like to wish
all remaining councillors, and new candidates, all the very best of
luck. It really is a privilege to serve your local community - and you
never know how long that privilege will last - so please do enjoy it
while you can.

Huge thanks also to our dedicated
workforce, who have shown nothing but enormous understanding,
adaptability, and sheer dedication to public service, over recent years.
It's been my pleasure to work with you all.

And
finally, many thanks to the people that matter most: the residents of
Edinburgh. You have given us the chance to make a contribution to the
ongoing evolution of this most beautiful city; one which I've had the
good fortune to call my family home for the last 24 years.

Stay in the picture

Keep yourself in the picture with our news section online. Watch live full Council and some committee meetings on our webcast. Join the debate on Twitter #edinwebcast

No comments:

Councillor Andrew Burns

Further Information

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andrewdburns[AT]btinternet.com

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"I am in love with this world" - John Burroughs

"I am in love with this world ... it has been my home. It has been my point of outlook into the universe. I have not bruised myself against it, nor tried to use it ignobly.

I have tilled its soil, I have gathered its harvests, I have waited upon its seasons, and always have I reaped what I have sown. While I delved, I did not lose sight of the sky overhead.

I have climbed its mountains, roamed its forests, sailed its waters, crossed its deserts, felt the sting of its frosts, the oppression of its heats, the drench of its rains, the fury of its winds, and always have beauty and joy waited upon my goings and comings."

Loch Hourn, North-West Scotland

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"The value of kindness"

"Of the sweets of adversity, and let me say that these are not numerous, I have found the sweetest, the most precious of all, is the lesson I learnt on the value of kindness. Every kindness I received, small or big, convinced me that there could never be enough of it in our world. To be kind is to respond with sensitivity and human warmth to the hopes and needs of others. Even the briefest touch of kindness can lighten a heavy heart. Kindness can change the lives of people."

Aung San Suu Kyi

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